Pittsburgh Pirates - Bradenton

Attending a Pirates Game at McKechnie Field

Bradenton's McKechnie Field, built in 1922, is one of the oldest spring training stadiums in Florida's Grapefruit League and has been home to spring training baseball since 1923.

The ballpark's current tenant, the Pittsburgh Pirates, have called McKechnie Field home since 1969. The Pirates and Bradenton celebrated their 40th anniversary together during the 2008 spring training season, which included an agreement between the City of Bradenton and the Pirates to continue this partnership for another 30 years.

McKechnie Field is located at 1611 Ninth Street West near bustling downtown Bradenton, home to the South Florida Museum, Manatee Players Theatre, ArtCenter Manatee and more. The ballpark sits directly east of the nationally-acclaimed Village of the Arts, a growing neighborhood of galleries and studios where artists and artisans of various types create and sell their wares.

The Pirates have experienced escalating attendance each year since 2003 thanks to the cozy, close-to-the-action atmosphere McKechnie Field offers. Renovations prior to the 2013 season have continued this trend to provide fan-friendly amenities and enhance the facility’s appeal as a sports tourism destination. See Video of the McKechnie Field Grand Reopening.

A $10 million upgrade at McKechnie Field includes:

• McKechnie Field will become a 360-degree ballpark with the addition of a boardwalk traversing the outfield.
• Concessions, restrooms and a specialty bar will be added on the boardwalk at centerfield.
• New, more comfortable seats will replace the existing infield seats.
• Additional seating, in the form covered outfield bleachers, will bring the ballpark’s capacity to approximately 8,500 from the current 6,500.
• Permanent roofs will replace the existing, temporary shade coverings above infield seating along the first- and third-base lines.
• Bullpens will be moved to the outfield where fans will be able to observe pitchers and catchers from the boardwalk.
• Concession stands and restrooms in the concourse will be replaced and updated.
• Additional areas will be available in the Fan Plaza for activities behind the stands.

Ticket prices at McKechnie Field have perennially been one of the lowest in the Grapefruit League. For regularly priced games, grandstand tickets can be had for $12 while "premium" box seats cost $22.

McKechnie Field is named after Pittsburgh native, former Bradenton resident and Hall of Fame manager Bill McKechnie.

Season tickets (starting at $193), group tickets and premium seating options go on sale November 24, 2014 for the 2015 season. Individual Spring Training game tickets will go on sale January 24, 2015.

The link above includes prices and information about Season Tickets, "Early Bird," pre-sale ticket purchasing opportunities, January 21-24, 2015. "Early Bird" pricing is different than regular single game pricing and is an alternative purchase opportunity for fans who want to be guaranteed seats to high demand games.

Stadium Information

McKechnie Field was built in 1923 and renovated in 1992, 2008 and 2013. The 2014 season is the Pirates 46th Spring Training at this location.

Parking: Neighbrhood parking, prices varyDimensions: 335 feet right and left field lines and 400 feet to centerSeating Capacity: 8,500

Directions to McKechnie Field

From St. Petersburg:Go over Skyway Bridge to Exit 2 (19 South); continue on 41 South (Bradenton/Sarasota); make right turn on 17th Avenue West. McKechnie is on the right.

From Sarasota (Route 41): Take Route 41 north to 17th Avenue West; make right. McKechnie is on the left.

From Sarasota (US-301): Take US-301 north to 13th Avenue West; make left. Left onto 9th Street West. McKechnie is on the left.

From north or south on I-75: Exit 220 (220 B from north) at Route 64; go west on Route 64 to Ninth Street West; turn left. McKechnie on the left.

Traffic and Road Construction Information from the Florida Department of Transportation
Learn about important traffic and roadway conditions by visiting www.FL511.com. This service reports travel times, road construction, lane closures and more on major Florida roadways.

Area Information

Other nearby Spring Training sitesEd Smith Stadium, Sarasota, Home of the Baltimore Orioles - 13 miles to the SouthBright House Field, Clearwater, Home of the Philadelphia Phillies - 43 miles to the NorthSteinbrenner Field, Tampa, Home of the New York Yankees, 46 miles to the NorthDunedin Stadium, Dunedin, Home of the Toronto Blue Jays, 50 miles to the NorthCharlotte Sports Park, Port Charlotte, Home of the Tampa Bay Rays - 50 miles to the SouthJoker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland, Home of the Detroit Tigers, 68 miles to the Northeast